Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-04

the adoption of ust apd enlightened
policy for the civilization snd government
of the Indians within cur jurisdiction, in
order thai all the substantial rights Of
these dependent people may be amply
protected without unnecessarily retard-
ing the development OF our new states
and territories.
Much hiss alresdy been done during the
present administration to reclsim lands
conditionally granted to railroad and
other corporations, to annul fraudulent
entries, to prevent unlawful Enclosures,
and to protect the timber and minerals
upon the public domain; but the work is
still incomplete, and it will require addi-
tionsl legislation and constant vigilance
upon the part Of those charged with the
administration Of the laws to prevent the
improper appropriation of q large part Of
the most valuable territory belonging TO
the government. In order to do this the
cooperation Of the legislative ard execu-
tive departments is absolutely necessary,
and past experience has shown that this
cooperation, except to limited extent,
could not be secured until sitter Demo
cratic administration was insugurated
The foundations of the existing system,
under which immense landed estates have
been acquired oy foreign and domestic
corporations and syndicstes, were laid by
the Republican party, and the fraud
ulent practices which have despoiled
the public domain of its most
fertile and valuable sections were begun
and continued while Republican officials
alone were charged with the duty OF en-
forcing the laws and protecting the inter-
ests OF the government and people. Even
now, when the magnitude OF the evil is
almost universally recognized, and the
demand for immediate reform is urgently
pressed by the homeless labor OF the
country, the Republican Senate either re-
fuses to act st all or proceeds slowly and
reluctantly to the consideration of the
subject. On the other hand, the Demo-
crstlc House has been earnest and active
| in its Efforts to secure such changes in
the laws as will dedicate the public lands
| to actual settlers under the homestead
law, and has even gone so far as to amend
its rules in order to give such measures
preference over other business. 1t has
passed bills FORGETTING and restoring to
| the government, for the benefit of actual
settlers, more than 100, 900, 900 acres of
land, only q part of which has been
concurred IN by the Senate, and
it has passed and sent to the
Senate q bill to repeal the timber
culture, presumption and desert land
laws, under which most Of the great
frauds were committed. The course of
| the Interior Department, under the
direction Of a Democratic Secretary and
| Commissioner of the Land Office, is
familiar to the country, and need not be
commented upon here. 1t has been uni
formly in the interest of faithful and
honest administration of the law in a
spirit of friendship for the bona fide set
tier and claimant, and hostility TO the
! fraudulent &dventurer and Spectator. In
view Of what has actually occurred in the
past, end considering the present atti-
tudes of the two parties with reference
to the subject, there is scarcely room Tor
doubt as to which one Of them would
be the safest custodian of the public in
terests, and the most likely to protect the
honest claim Of the humble citizen against
the predatory schemes Of organized capt.
til and political influence.
Another most important subject de
manding immediate attention is
THE REDUCTION OF THE REVENUE AM
TAXATION.
The injustice and lmpolicY of maintain
ing revenue system which c0mpels tht
people to pay annually into the public
Treasury Sl00,000,0G0 more than is aCtu
ally needed By the government, are toe
apparent to require argument, The IN
necessary abstraction Of this enormous
sum from the earnings of the pee pie, wh(
really need il in the prosecution of thei
business, is crime which cannot bt
/ justified or excused upon any grounds 0
eXpedienCy whatever, and 1t is eviden
that 1t cannot be much longer continued
withoor producing consequences of thu
most serious character. But il Their,
were no other reason, the fact that {
large surplus in the Treasury constitute
the most dangerous corruption fund tina
can possibly menace the integrity O
, legislation, would alone be sufficient t.
show the necessity for en- immediate re
duction of the revenue. Already vas
schemes Of spoliatton are being de
vised and advocated, partly for tn
avowed purpose CT preventlrg reduction
of taxation, and partly upon the groun(
thst it is the duty OF the government, e.
the p2ternal guardian OF the people, t
dispense bOunties and charities to certain
classes Of its citizens and certain kind
of industrial and commercial enterprises
Some propose to purchase and operat,
all the railroads, telegraphs, steam vessels
and other means Of transportation enc
communication, ct an expense of thou
sands Of millions; some want the genera
government 20 pay part of the whole O
the cost OF education in the sewers
states; some want to grant bounties anC
subsidies TO sugar growers and owners o
steamship liGes, IS II they we're engaged
in more neritorious occupations than tn
people who produce corn and wheat, o
who ere employed in othe
industrial pursuits; some wsn
to increase the pensions 81
ready allowed, and grant additional ones
to the deserving ard undeserving alike
: some want the government TO loan none
to the people to start in business or ps
: their debts; and one gentleman at least
, who may be supposed to speak for COZ
: siderable number of his party associates
r advocates the erection Of a public build
3 ing in every city having q population Q
} 20,000-not because there is any necessit
: for it, but simply in order "to have con
2 tinuslly before the people visible testi
: monial to the existence CT the nations
: government" These are only fe,
2 samples Of the selfish apd extravsgar
/ projects which sn overlooking Treasur
] mas developed, but they are enough t
! show the danger OF longer delay in tn
{ consideration of this subject The onl